Hollywood doesn't really need an excuse to throw a boozy party or spend three hours of handing out self-congratulatory prizes, but the Golden Globe Awards have always been a delightful, slightly strange tradition that combines both. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association's annual bash returns Sunday night at 8 p.m. on NBC, in what many see as the official kick-off to Oscar season. Movie and TV stars will crush together around alcohol-stocked tables for an event where, as last year's co-hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler put it, “the beautiful people of film rub shoulders with the rat-faced people of television.”

Fey and Poehler, the BFFs and NBC comedy stars who drew raves after hosting last year's show, are back to take their best (but not too mean) shots at the A-listers in the crowd. Last time, zingers targeted Taylor Swift's love life, Quentin Tarantino's general creepiness and the Kathryn Bigelow-”Zero Dark Thirty” controversy. (Poehler: “When it comes to torture, I trust the lady who spent three years married to James Cameron.”)

The Globes organization seems to pride itself on being the first to spot a hot new star — such as once crowning Jennifer Garner a winner for “Alias” — or predict which film with take home Best Picture at this year's Academy Awards. Either way, the night is always a little bit weird — though we can't promise another epic Jodie Foster-style speech.

Here's a rundown of this year's major movie and TV categories, where we predict who will win, declare who should win, and speculate on the sneaky nominees that might surprise us all. Plus, a look back at some of the more bizarre winners in Globes history.

Could go down to the wire between this and the lighter “Gravity,” although many think the brutal, compelling nature of the slavery epic will give it the ultimate edge.

— Most deserving:”12 Years a Slave”

An unflinching look at an uncomfortable subject, the movie also helped spark many discussions. While Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in space were a gripping ride, the riveting “12 Years” should get the trophy.

— Dark horse: “Philomena”

The BBC film is picking up steam in the last few weeks, doing surprisingly strong box-office numbers — and earning Dame Judi Dench much acclaim for her role as a woman searching for her long-lost son.

In a strong performance as a transgendered woman with AIDS, Leto seems all but guaranteed to win in this category. Still, there's a chance that Fassbender's turn as an evil plantation owner may make voters take notice.

— Most deserving: Leto

It's a hard call, but Leto's physical transformation was something to behold.

— Dark horse: Cooper

He stood out as the squirrelly FBI agent in a talented cast, and he shines in just enough critical scenes to make him memorable.

Grammer and his low-rated Chicago politics series beat some stiff cable drama competition, causing even seasoned award show predictors to go, “Huh?”

ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES — DRAMA

Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife” (CBS)

Tatiana Maslany, “Orphan Black” (BBC America)

Taylor Schilling, “Orange Is the New Black” (Netflix)

Kerry Washington, “Scandal” (ABC)

Robin Wright, “House of Cards” (Netflix)

— Odds-on favorite: Washington

Though she lost out at the Emmys, the always exquisitely dressed actress is still on a hot streak as the star of ABC's outrageous “Scandal” — and the Globes like to reward those who are overlooked.

— Most deserving: Schilling

Netflix's addictive “Orange” looked as if it would be a big contender, but Schilling (the sharp lead in an impressive ensemble) got the only nod for the dramedy, which was perhaps at a disadvantage being submitted in the crowded drama category.

— Dark horse: Maslany

You could practically hear the Internet explode with happiness when the Canadian actress (who plays six characters in the niche hit “Orphan Black”) got the nod.

The HFPA loves to recognize young, talented ingénues, as they did with a rare show of support for a WB series.

ACTOR IN A TV SERIES — COMEDY

Jason Bateman, “Arrested Development” (Netflix)

Don Cheadle, “House of Lies” (Showtime)

Michael J. Fox, “The Michael J. Fox Show” (NBC)

Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)

Andy Samberg, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Fox)

— Odds-on favorite: Fox

Unless last year's winner, Don Cheadle, pulls a surprise repeat, experts are certain that Globes voters will happily welcome back one of their longtime favorites — even if his new show is kind of a flop.

— Most deserving: Bateman

He's the glue that ably held together the cult hit's resurrection on Netflix, thrilling (and momentarily quieting) diehard viewers still angry that the show got canceled.

— Dark horse: Samberg

The Globes have crowned his freshman Fox comedy the year's new “It” show, so it wouldn't be completely shocking to see the goofy actor taking the prize.

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